Trends come and go, but great style is forever. Certain menswear staples — like a white button-down shirt, classic penny loafers and beige chinos — have stood the test of time thanks to their inherent versatility. When made well, these are pieces that you'll reach for time and again.
Invest wisely and you'll not only save wardrobe space, but slash your environmental footprint: globally, a whopping 92 million tonnes of textiles waste is created each year and the equivalent to a rubbish truck full of clothes ends up on landfill sites every second. You can do your bit for the planet by prioritising durability over disposability. Choose timeless menswear staples that are consciously made from high quality fabrics and you'll be rewarded with years of wear.
Not sure where to start? Here are seven classic menswear staples that will see you stylishly through endless seasons and fashion fads.
THE SHIRT: L'Estrange All Day Oxford Shirt
Founded upon the philosophy 'With less, do more', London-based label L'Estrange has made a name for itself as the ultimate go-to for seasonless staples. Its take on the classic Oxford shirt combines durability, comfort and versatility, thanks to the addition of 2% elastane for increased movement and stretch. Team it with chinos and leather sneakers for an effortless business casual look, or wear it with a lightweight linen suit to a summer wedding.
THE WATCH: NOMOS Glashütte Orion 38
With its sleek leather strap and minimalist dial, this understated, minimal watch from renowned German watchmakers NOMOS Glashütte is a contemporary classic. It fuses high quality manually-wound mechanics with pared-back aesthetics for a timeless accessory that will last a lifetime and look just as great with formal tailoring as with your go-to uniform of indigo jeans and a plain T-shirt.
THE SHOES: Velasca Cuntaball Loafers
You can never go wrong with a sophisticated pair of penny loafers. These black leather loafers from Velasca are as classic as they come. Meticulously crafted in Italy from full-grain leather, they feature a durable Vibram rubber sole for maximum comfort and grip. Team them with tailored trousers or turned-up jeans.
THE TROUSERS: ASKET Beige Chino Trousers
Beige chinos have long been a failsafe menswear essential thanks to their supreme versatility. These meticulously crafted cotton-satin weave chinos from ASKET tick all the right boxes, with their timeless colouring, a classic fit and just the right amount of stretch. Add an airy overshirt and pair of white sneakers for an easy weekend look.
THE JUMPER: Artknit Studios Wool Perkins Sweater
Artknit Studios has a way of making everyday items look and feel luxurious. Just take this ribbed sweater, for instance: crafted from extrafine merino wool, it's ultra-soft and made to stand the test of time. Dress it up with smart trousers and derby shoes or opt for a casual aesthetic with low top sneakers and jeans.
Invest in the best: discover our favourite classic white T-shirts for men.
